| Abhivan Viriyachai said on Tuesday he had turned down a seat of deputy prime minister offered by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The former deputy House speaker said he had been offered the deputy premier's seat in exchange for that of an education minister which has been reportedly given to Puea Thai MP Voravat Ua-apinyakul instead.
Mr Abhivan, who is also a Puea Thai MP, disclosed he had telephoned former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, brother of the woman leader, to inform of his decision to not accept any cabinet seat and only to tend to his legislative duties.
The colonel-turned-lawmaker disclosed he was among six persons given seats of deputy prime minister in the Yingluck cabinet, with the one offered him being meant to take charge of defense affairs.
''I told Khun Yingluck on Monday I would not take any cabinet seat, following the news Khun Voravat would be deservingly given the seat of education minister,'' said Mr Abhivan.
The Puea Thai MP added he had considered himself not very suitable for the post of deputy prime minister in charge of defense, however.
He said he was not disappointed at the cabinet line-up and will continue to work for the ruling party in parliament.
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